kickback for the host
 

hi.

is there any sort of home game ettiquette for the host of a home game? i won a small home game tourney a ways back and it didn't even occur for me to maybe give him a few bucks for the chips/beer/soda & having it at his house & such. i then hosted one and the winners were very gracious about kicking back a little to me. feeling like a bit of a heel now...

Re: kickback for the host
 

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is there any sort of home game ettiquette for the host of a home game? i won a small home game tourney a ways back and it didn't even occur for me to maybe give him a few bucks for the chips/beer/soda & having it at his house & such. i then hosted one and the winners were very gracious about kicking back a little to me. feeling like a bit of a heel now...

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I've never played in a homegame where the host was given a kickback.

Re: kickback for the host
 

I hosted a game recently and provided food and drinks. People just kicked in a couple of bucks if they wanted to. I think it would be kind of rude to just show up at someone's house, eat and drink whatever they provide, and leave without offering something.

Re: kickback for the host
 

This isn't a poker question, Ollie. It's just a being-a-decent-person question. Jesus, bring a case of beer to the guy's house and then relax, OK?

Re: kickback for the host
 

Depends on the house. I host a game with an open bar, but you have to bring your own beer, cuz I can't stand the stuff. But we usually provide some snack type food and booze. I just want everyone to have a good time. I don't expect them to kick any back to me. I usually end up in the black a little by the end of the night anyway. I'm sure there are hosts out there though that sort of expect some sort of donation. Just my $0.02.

Re: kickback for the host
 

At our game, everyone is expected to bring some food and/or drink for everyone to share. Pot Luck (pun intended). If someone forgets, he gets crap from the others. Plus we all clean up afterwards.

The host provides coffee, cards, chips, and his home. Everyone's happy. No one, including winners, gives the host any kickback.

In your situation, I wouldn't worry about it.

-ptmusic

Re: kickback for the host
 

Some of the more etiquette minded players at my games do throw some money back my way 'if they are in the money', but also perhaps this is because I usually deal the whole game mayself, while playing and continuing if I bust. Others take the winnings and run. Honestly either way is OK with me, I'm not expecting it but it is nice to see some people actually respect all that goes into hosting a poker night (we also provide quite a spread of snacks, chip, dip, drinks, etc.)

Re: kickback for the host
 

I host and usually provide cheap beer and water. I don't expect people to chip in, but a buck here or there is appreciated if you are leaving a winner.

A six pack is always appreciated. Everyone loves drunk Poker players! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

A regular tournament I got to charges a 5% equipment fee for cards and such. No refreshments are provided. Nobody would kick in money for this since it's already being charged.

Re: kickback for the host
 

I think there are a lot of ways to go here.

Currently - I bring a 6-pack or 12-pack of whatever I plan to drink (usually Diet Coke), and I leave the extras with the host. If we order in for pizza or something, everyone chips in.

Re: kickback for the host
 

People try to give me money at the end of the night all the time. I actively refuse "tips" because I'm sure that would make my now legal game illegal. I tell them to just bring beer/chips/whatever next time.

Re: kickback for the host
 

Some people recommend you give 10% of your winnings if you place 1st, to the host. Some people don't give squat.

I personally host games, and did so without any rake/house fee. I was providing a nice spread of chips, home baked cookies and sodas at my own expense. Plus the purchase of all the equipment to run it, and the time spent setting everything up (many hours go into keeping in touch with people and keeping the events full)

It's a lot of work, and it can be pretty expensive up-front when you're just starting out. I eventually added a house-fee for awhile, but decided to drop it.

Instead, I found a nice way to encourage people to attend more frequently, and to increase competition.

I added a Tournament Leader Board, and 5% of every prize pool was taken out to fund a championship prize pool for the top five players at the end of the year (my events can hold up to 16 players each night)

10% of the prize pool would've built up our leader board fund much better, but 5% is barely noticed when it's taken out. I place it in a separate interest-bearing bank account designated for the poker event.

The top five players at the end of the year will be able to play for this prize pool, each player winning something, and I'll likely offer bounties out of the prize pool (i.e. you eliminate another player and you win 25 bucks or whatever)

The expected prize pool for them to play for will be between $500-$1,000 or so. This is because of a few things:

1. I was holding half my events at 7-stud tourneys, and they aren't as popular or well attended. I've since dumped them and my cash games and we're unfortunately going all NL hold em tournies

2. The TLB main event will be in September, because I'm getting married in October (otherwise if would've been in December, increasing the prize pool available)

Anyway, as host, this gives me a little better shot at making that main event and having a shot at some extra money, without taking any house fees. I'm always going to play all the events I hold, while other players may or may not. While I've recently taken back 1st place on the leader board, other players are nipping at my heels, and one player who's only attended three events has made the top 5, so there's time for me to get bumped out. Luckily I play fairly well, so I should be able to make it into that event and get some extra dough for my efforts.

Re: kickback for the host
 

I have been hosting a game every thursday for the past year and a half and I have never received a dime, nor would I expect to. I have paid for all chip and supplies, and I freely offer anything that is in my healthy liquor fridge. Its never been an issue.

-Yarney

Re: kickback for the host
 

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I think it would be kind of rude to just show up at someone's house, eat and drink whatever they provide, and leave without offering something.

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You'd think that, but I bet your mamma probably raised you better than some.

I don't expect people to donate cash, but I do expect everyone to bring their own beverages, and donate whatever munchies they can. I used to cook for nearly every game, but I think some players began taking advantage of that, even to the point of skipping dinner before the game.

We've got a pretty good (or perhaps well-trained) crowd, now. I'd say fully half of them bring something at least every other game, and most of the others at least make an attempt now and then.

Re: kickback for the host
 

Every home game is different. There is no right or wrong way.

It sounds like the folks at your home game DO chip in to the host to cover costs and such. Therefore, I'd offer at your next game and see. The host can always say no.

Re: kickback for the host
 

Is there a difference between "home game" and "underground card room" that we can define?